Jade plants bring a touch of green calm to any home. These sturdy plants have thick, glossy leaves. Many think they bring good luck too! Taking care of jade plants is easy once you know the basics. This guide will help you keep your jade plant happy and healthy for years to come.
Table of Contents
What Is a Jade Plant?
Jade plants come from South Africa. They are small trees with thick stems and plump, green leaves. Their Latin name is Crassula ovata. People often call them money plants or lucky plants.
Jade plants can live for many years. Some grow for over 100 years! They grow slowly but can reach 3 to 6 feet tall when grown indoors. Outside, they might grow even taller.
The leaves feel waxy and smooth. They store water, which helps the plant live through dry times. The leaves are oval and grow in pairs on the stems. Most jade plants have green leaves, but some types have red edges or even yellow marks.
Why Grow a Jade Plant?
Jade plants make great houseplants for many reasons. They are:
- Easy to care for
- Long-living
- Good for air quality
- Pretty to look at
- Hard to kill
- Said to bring good luck and wealth
Many people keep jade plants in their homes or offices. They fit well in small pots on desks or tables. As they grow, you can move them to bigger pots or keep them small through pruning.
Light Needs
Jade plants love the sun! They need lots of bright light to grow well. Put your jade plant near a window that gets sun for most of the day. South or west-facing windows work best.
In winter, jade plants need all the light they can get. You might need to move them to catch more sun. Watch your plant for signs it needs more light. If the stems look long and thin, or if new leaves are small and pale, your plant wants more sun.
Too much direct sun can burn the leaves in very hot weather. If you see red or brown spots on the leaves, the plant might be getting too much harsh sun. Move it back from the window a bit or add a sheer curtain to filter the light.
Water Needs
The most common way to kill a jade plant is by giving it too much water. Jade plants store water in their leaves. They can go a long time without a drink. It’s better to water too little than too much.
How often should you water? It depends on:
- The time of year
- How hot your home is
- The pot size
- The soil type
A good rule is to let the soil dry out fully between watering. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it feels even a little damp, wait a few more days.
Water less in winter when the plant isn’t growing much. You might only need to water once a month. In summer, you’ll likely water more often, maybe once a week.
When you do water, give the plant a good drink. Water until it runs out the bottom of the pot. Then, let all extra water drain away. Never let your jade plant sit in water.
Soil and Pot Needs
Jade plants need soil that drains well. They don’t like wet feet! The best soil mix is:
- Half potting soil
- Half perlite or coarse sand
You can buy cactus or succulent soil at most garden stores. This works well too. The key is that water must drain quickly through the soil.
Pots must have holes in the bottom. This lets extra water flow out. Clay or terra cotta pots work well for jade plants. These pots let soil dry out faster than plastic pots.
Pick a pot that fits your plant. It should be just a bit bigger than the root ball. Too big a pot holds too much water and can lead to root rot.
Feeding Your Jade Plant
Jade plants don’t need much food. They grow slowly and can get by with little help. Still, a bit of plant food now and then helps them stay strong.
Feed your jade plant once every three to four months during spring and summer. Use a balanced liquid plant food made for succulents. Mix it at half the strength listed on the label.
Don’t feed your plant in fall or winter. The plant rests during these times and doesn’t need the extra boost.
Too much plant food can harm your jade. Signs of too much food include:
- White crust on the soil
- Burned leaf tips
- Very fast growth that looks weak
If you see these signs, flush the soil with plain water. Then wait a few months before feeding again.
Temperature and Humidity
Jade plants like it warm but can handle some cold. They grow best when temps stay between 65 and 75°F (18-24°C). They can live in temps down to 50°F (10°C) but might stop growing.
Keep jade plants away from cold drafts in winter. Don’t put them near doors that open to the outside or drafty windows. Cold drafts can make leaves drop.
Jade plants don’t need high humidity. They come from dry places and do fine in normal home air. You don’t need to mist them or use a humidifier.
In fact, too much humidity can cause problems. High humidity plus cool temps can lead to rot or fungus. Keep the air moving around your plant with a small fan if the air feels very still.
Potting and Repotting
Young jade plants grow faster than old ones. You may need to repot a young plant once a year. Older plants might stay in the same pot for 2-3 years or more.
How do you know when to repot? Look for these signs:
Roots growing out of the pot’s drain holes
The plant looking top-heavy
Water running straight through the soil without soaking in
The plant stops growing even in good light
The best time to repot is in spring or early summer. This gives the plant time to settle before winter comes.
When you repot:
- Pick a new pot just 1-2 inches wider than the old one.
- Fill the bottom with fresh soil mix.
- Gently take the plant from its old pot.
- Brush away some of the old soil from the roots.
- Place the plant in the new pot at the same depth as before.
- Fill in with fresh soil mix.
- Wait a week before watering to let any root cuts heal.
Don’t water right after repotting. This can cause rot in any broken roots. Let the plant rest for about a week, then water lightly.
Pruning and Shaping
Jade plants can be shaped through pruning. This helps them look full and neat. Pruning also keeps plants from getting too tall or tipping over.
The best time to prune is in spring or summer when the plant is growing. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. Cut stems just above a leaf node (where leaves meet the stem).
You can pinch off the tips of stems to make the plant branch out. Each cut stem will grow two or more new stems from that spot.
Don’t prune more than a third of the plant at once. This would stress the plant too much. If your jade needs major shaping, do it over a few months.
Save the cuttings! You can grow new jade plants from them. Let the cut ends dry for a day or two. Then stick them in dry soil. Don’t water for a week, then start a light watering plan.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even easy plants like jade can have issues. Here are common problems and how to fix them:
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves often mean too much water. Let the soil dry out fully before you water again. Check that your pot drains well. If the soil stays wet for more than a few days, you might need a different soil mix or pot.
Dropping Leaves
Jade plants drop leaves when stressed. This can happen from:
- Too little light
- Too much or too little water
- Big temperature changes
- Moving to a new spot
Find what changed and fix it. The plant will likely grow new leaves once it feels better.
Soft, Mushy Stems
This means rot has set in. It’s often from too much water. Cut off any soft parts with clean scissors. Let the plant dry out for a week or more. Only water when the soil is fully dry.
Shriveled Leaves
If leaves look shrunken or wrinkled, the plant needs water. Give it a good drink. The leaves should plump up in a day or two.
Spots on Leaves
Brown spots might be from sunburn. Move the plant back from hot windows.
Black spots often mean fungus. Cut off those leaves and make sure air flows well around the plant.
White spots could be scale insects. Wipe them off with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Leggy Growth
If stems grow long with few leaves, the plant needs more light. Move it to a sunnier spot. You can prune the long stems to make the plant bushier.
How to Propagate Jade Plants
Want more jade plants? They are easy to grow from cuttings! Here’s how:
- Cut a stem 2-4 inches long. Use clean scissors.
- Remove leaves from the bottom inch of the stem.
- Let the cutting dry for 1-2 days until the cut end feels dry to touch.
- Stick the cut end into dry succulent soil.
- Wait a week before watering lightly.
- Keep in bright light but not direct sun until roots form.
You can tell roots have formed when the cutting stays firm and starts to grow new leaves. This takes 2-4 weeks.
You can also grow jade plants from a single leaf! Place a plump leaf on top of dry soil. After a few weeks, tiny roots will grow from the leaf end. A new plant will form at the base.
Seasonal Care Tips
Jade plants need slightly different care as seasons change.
Spring
This is the start of the growing season. Your plant will wake up and start to grow. Steps for spring:
Move to a brighter spot as days get longer.
Start watering more as the plant uses more water.
Begin feeding with diluted plant food.
This is a good time to repot if needed.
Summer
Summer is when jade plants grow the most. They can handle more sun and water now. Summer care includes:
Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Keep away from hot air from air conditioners.
Move outside to a partly shady spot if you want.
Watch for pests that are more active in summer.
Fall
As days get shorter, jade plants slow their growth. Adjust your care:
Water less often as the plant uses less.
Stop feeding to let the plant prepare for winter rest.
Move back indoors before any risk of frost if outside.
Make sure the plant gets as much light as possible.
Winter
Winter is rest time for jade plants. They won’t grow much. Winter care is minimal:
Water only when the soil is fully dry, maybe once a month.
Keep away from cold drafts and heat vents.
Move to the brightest window you have.
Don’t repot or prune until spring.
Jade Plants and Feng Shui
In many Asian cultures, jade plants are thought to bring good luck and wealth. Their Chinese name means “money plant.” The round leaves look like coins, which is said to bring wealth to the home.
Where should you place your jade plant for good feng shui? Near the entrance to your home or office is best. This helps draw in good energy and luck. The southeast area of your home is the wealth corner in feng shui. A jade plant there is said to help your finances grow.
Some believe a jade plant given as a gift brings more luck than one you buy for yourself. If someone gives you a jade plant, it might bring extra good fortune!
Types of Jade Plants
While the classic jade (Crassula ovata) is most common, there are many types to try:
Hobbit Jade: Has tubular leaves with red tips.
Gollum Jade: Similar to Hobbit but with more cup-shaped leaf ends.
Variegated Jade: Has cream or white stripes on the leaves.
Miniature Jade: Stays small, good for tiny pots.
Silver Jade: Has a gray-blue color to the leaves.
Pink Jade: Shows pink tints on leaf edges in bright light.
All these types need the same basic care. The only big difference is that variegated types need more light to keep their special colors.
Jade Plants and Pets
If you have pets, be careful. Jade plants are mildly toxic to cats and dogs. If eaten, they can cause:
- Upset stomach
- Slow heart rate
- Loss of balance
- Throwing up
Keep jade plants where pets can’t reach them. If you think your pet ate some of your plant, call your vet right away.
Jade Plant Lifespan
With good care, jade plants can live for many years. Some family jade plants pass down through generations! A well-cared-for jade can live for 70-100 years or more.
Old jade plants look like small trees. Their stems get woody and look like tree trunks. They can grow quite large over time. A very old jade might be 3-4 feet tall with a thick, tree-like base.
Displaying Your Jade Plant
Jade plants look good on their own or with other plants. Here are some display ideas:
- Set a jade plant on a desk for good work luck.
- Place small jades in a row on a sunny windowsill.
- Use a large jade as a living room focal point.
- Make a dish garden with jade and other succulents.
- Put a jade in a pretty pot as a coffee table plant.
Look for pots that show off your plant’s colors. Red or deep blue pots look nice with the bright green leaves. Asian-style pots fit well with the plant’s feng shui meaning.
Final Thoughts on Jade Plant Care
Jade plants are ideal for both new and skilled plant owners. They forgive mistakes and last for years. The key things to remember are:
- Give plenty of light.
- Don’t overwater.
- Use well-draining soil.
- Protect from cold.
With these simple steps, your jade plant will grow strong and bring beauty to your home for many years. It might even bring some good luck too!
Start with these tips, and soon you’ll know just what your own jade plant likes best. Each plant is a bit different. By watching how your plant grows, you’ll learn its needs. This is the joy of plant care – getting to know each plant as the living thing it is.
Happy growing!